Outcry over plans to demolish Portsmouth pub

You may not think so but this is St Mary's Church, Fratton Road, in the 1880s, before the present church was built.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2017, 07:06 BST
Believe it or not this is St Marys Church, Fratton Road, Portsea, before the present building. Picture: Monty Theobald collectionBelieve it or not this is St Marys Church, Fratton Road, Portsea, before the present building. Picture: Monty Theobald collection
Believe it or not this is St Marys Church, Fratton Road, Portsea, before the present building. Picture: Monty Theobald collection

The mass of headstones in the church yard, right, were all removed many years ago.

Many were placed around the perimeter of the church grounds.

It was then made into a recreational ground.

A wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collectionA wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collection
A wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collection
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The dead are still there of course, including a mass grave containing the remains of 35 people from the sinking of the Royal George.

The battleship foundered at Spithead in the Solent on August 29, 1782.

More than 800 lives were lost in the tragedy.

n Although not a Portsmouth subject, I thought the picture, below, might cause some interest. It was sent in by Trevor Jenkins.

Chichester Road at the junction with Farlington Road  not a car in sight. Picture: Barry Cox collectionChichester Road at the junction with Farlington Road  not a car in sight. Picture: Barry Cox collection
Chichester Road at the junction with Farlington Road  not a car in sight. Picture: Barry Cox collection

Some readers, even now, may remember the wooden ship HMS Coronation that wasput on display in Guildhall Square for the 1937 Coronation fleet review.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Americans also had an idea to do the same with the hope of acquiring more recruits during the Second World War.

We see the ship under construction. But quite where in New York it is, I cannot say.

n Mike Jones sent me the photograph, opposite page, looking along North End Avenue from Stamshaw Road in the 1950s.

A 1950s look along North End Avenue from Stamshaw Road junction. Picture: Mike Jones collectionA 1950s look along North End Avenue from Stamshaw Road junction. Picture: Mike Jones collection
A 1950s look along North End Avenue from Stamshaw Road junction. Picture: Mike Jones collection

At that time it still had a junction with Stamshaw Road.

In the centre can be seen the Spotted Cow public house.

Builders applied to the council to have the building demolished and new housing built on the site.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Such was the local public outcry, demolition was denied and the building was converted into apartments.

A wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collectionA wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collection
A wooden battleship used for recruitment purposes in New York during the Second World War. Picture: Trevor Jenkins collection

n I am sure anyone living in Chichester Road today would love to see it as it was many years ago, below right.

At least they could park near their homes.

I am always amazed at the town planners of the time having the foresight to build roads as wide as they did considering there were just horse drawn carts and bicycles.

I can see them in their office saying, ‘ Well lads, we will have to build the roads wide as there might be cars parked down there in future years.’

Related topics:St Mary's ChurchPortsmouthCoronation